Alpinestars Unveils its 2019 Collection

When it comes to motorcycle apparel, arguably no name is as widely known across the globe as Alpinestars. The company’s continuous and relentless pursuit of safety innovation for motorcyclists is the stuff of legend, and thankfully for the rest of us, the fruits of that labor are seen through the jackets, pants, gloves, boots, and other protective apparel we wear each time we ride.

Overall, Alpinestars is seeing continued growth, especially in the emerging Asian and South American markets, while sales for products utilizing the flagship Tech Air airbag have gone up 400%, according to company representatives. In MotoGP, where airbags are mandatory for all riders across all three categories, 48 of 88 MotoGP riders wear the Tech Air system, even if they are wearing suits from other companies.

Starting today, Monday, August 27, a total of 71 new products will be available from Alpinestars in the US of A, across all of the company’s categories, street and dirt. It would be a huge undertaking to show all 71 items here, so instead the focus will be on a few key highlights from the road collection. Visit Alpinestars.com starting August 27 to see the entire lineup, including items that will be carried over from previous years.

The thing about two-piece suits is that, well, they don’t look as cool as one-piece suits thanks to the connection in the middle. With this, the second generation of the Missile two-piece, Alpinestars has tried its best to blur that line. The trick is the two large accordion panels at the bottom of the jacket and the waistline of the pant. The two overlap to give more of a one-piece look, but also give the benefit of added flexibility because of the larger accordion panels. In addition, the zippers themselves are much larger and robust than before for added security and protection.

If there’s one thing motorcyclists can agree on (well, the ones who wear gear, anyway), no matter what they ride, it’s that a black leather jacket is timeless. In the case of the Specter jacket, now riders looking for something sporty – but not too sporty – have an option. On its surface, it’s a plain black jacket, but look closer and the features stand out. First and foremost is the fact the Specter is Tech-Air Race compatible, meaning you have the potential for complete upper body airbag protection if you want it. Large amounts of accordion stretch paneling is seen throughout the shoulders and side, not only to accommodate the airbag in a deployment, but to also give the rider freedom to move.

Construction of the jacket is via 1.1mm leather with a water-treated, four-way stretch fabric in non-impact areas. One thing you won’t see on the Specter is a racing hump on the back, as market research has shown that riders on the street would much rather not have a hump. There’s also a removable full mesh liner with stretch paneling, along with silicon embossed logos and vents under the armpits, giving a direct blast of air while riding a sport(y) bike. GP Lite shoulder protection is CE-rated, placed internally (instead of the DFS external protectors seen in Alpinestars suits) and covered in leather for a sleek look.

Alpinestars may be best known for its racing products, but its robust collection of touring apparel is as feature-rich as anything else in the line. The Andes is the best selling touring line for Alpinestars, and 2019 sees the Andes Pro jacket coming to America. It’s constructed from 600 Denier with Dobby fabric and silicone print in impact areas for extra abrasion resistance.

A highlight of the Andes Pro is the two-stage ventilation system. Two large panels can fold down in two halves for both chest and forearms to provide a large, customizable path for fresh air. The intake vents flow air directly to the body instead of through a breathable membrane, providing maximum airflow. Two big exhaust vents out the back let the hot air escape. For cold rides there’s a full sleeve thermal liner weighing in at 80g in torso and 60g in sleeve.

One of Alpinestars’ most popular and iconic leather jackets, the Dyno, is back. This no-frills leather jacket is at home on virtually any motorcycle, and is constructed from supple full-grain leather with stretch panels across the chest for a feeling of instant comfort with little break-in. Die-cut leather logos and stripes along the sides give it a classic look, while the flat seams across the shoulder help the Dyno look like a normal leather jacket instead of a bulky motorcycle piece. Like the rest of the Alpinestars line, CE-rated protection in key areas (shoulders and elbows) is standard. Like the Andes Pro above, the Dyno jacket is also available in a Stella version for women.

A jacket for the growing number of scrambler and cruiser riders out there, the Ray Canvas jacket is not your typical motorcycle jacket. For starters, leather is ditched in favor of hand waxed cotton polyfabric for a completely different look and feel. The outer shell then gets a water resistant treatment to better withstand the elements. Inside, a cotton lining helps keep the rider warm. Safety isn’t compromised, though, as CE-rated shoulder and elbow protectors come standard, and there are pockets in the back and chest to accept optional Nucleon protectors.

A companion to the Ray Canvas Jacket, the Motochino is exactly the kind of pant you can wear straight from your motorcycle, directly to the office. It’s constructed from thin polycotton with Elastan, giving it similar stretch and abrasion resistance as riding denim, the Motochino then gets Kevlar reinforcement panels in impact zones for extra abrasion resistance. The lack of any visible stitching gives it a clean look, while two-position adjustable knee protectors and pockets for additional hip armor make it more than just a casual pair of pants.

The Alpinestars collection of textile sport jackets featuring the company’s proprietary Drystar waterproof membrane is rather large, but there hasn’t been much in the way of textile Drystar gloves to go with them. The T SP-W Sport Drystar Glove fills that void. Constructed from a full technical softshell with stretch polyamide, the mid-cuff SP-W features suede reinforcements in abrasion areas and a goatskin leather palm for instant comfort. An added bonus: the pointer finger features a panel making it usable on touchscreen devices. A dual density TPU knuckle protector also has ventilation channels to help bring airflow to the hand. Like other Alpinestars’ sport gloves, the T SP-W gets the bridge between the third and fourth fingers to help prevent the little finger from rolling under the hand in a fall.

While not technically a part of Alpinestars’ heritage-inspired Oscar line, the J-Cult riding shoe clearly belongs. Its full-grain brown leather looks distressed from the beginning for that aged look. It’s combined with a soft stretch fabric textile collar for comfort, and the Drystar membrane gives the J-Cult protection against the heavens, should you get caught out in a shower. Dual density ankle protectors provide a little bit of ankle protection, and the molded rubber sole gives good grip when you put your foot down while also making the shoe comfortable to walk in.

The J-6 is Alpinestars’ best selling riding shoe in Europe, so it only seems right to bring it to America. This lightweight, street-inspired shoe combines leather and suede for a stylish shoe that’s at home both on or off the motorcycle. Its waterproof membrane is built into the chassis, giving full protection against the rain while still being comfortable. Its dual density and ergonomic ankle and heel protector give more protection in those areas than a normal sneaker would, and the waterproof membrane keeps your toes dry.

If you ask me, the Sektor shoe looks like it was inspired by Alpinestars’ driving shoes. The silhouettes look similar, and if you’re the type who really digs motorsports and wants a riding shoe reflecting that look, the Sektor is for you. Unlike the J-Cult and J-6, the Sektor is constructed from a lightweight, durable, and abrasion resistant microfiber. The car division shows up once again as the speed lacing system seen on the Sektor was first seen in the auto racing shoes from Alpinestars. Sliders on the toe and ankle provide a little bit of protection, while flex zones are engineered into the shoe for better comfort while walking. Of course, a full waterproof membrane makes the shoe better suited for a wider range of weather conditions. This in addition to the regular and vented versions of the Sektor shoe.